Sources: Yahoo / Daily / Daily
The Chiba Lotte Marines announced on March 10 that they have signed ex-Hanshin Tigers infielder Takashi Toritani (38) to a one-year deal for the 2020 season. He will earn an estimated ¥16 million ($150,000) and wear #00.
Marines’ skipper Tadahito Iguchi had this to say about signing Toritani: “He probably practices more than any other active player in NPB right now. I hope our younger guys can learn a thing or two from him. We hope to have him available to play anywhere in the infield. He didn’t go through camp and probably doesn’t have a good feel for his game right now, so obviously he will need some time on the farm.”
Toritani holds the second-longest ironman streak in NPB history at 1939 games, and has more hits than any player in Hanshin history as well, at 2085. Last year, in his 16th season with the Tigers, he was used primarily as a pinch hitter and ended the season with just 19 hits in 74 games, with no home runs and four RBIs.
Given the Marines’ lack of depth at second and short, plus the fact that manager Iguchi has trained with Toritani several offseasons in a row, it comes as no surprise that they would be reunited in this way for the upcoming season.
Current Tigers outfielder and NPB elder-statesman Kosuke Fukudome had this to say: “Did Toritani contact me? How is that any of your business? (laughs) Well, I was worried about him, though I think he is probably more relieved than anyone right now. But we are all really happy that he got signed. As a fellow veteran player, I am rooting for him. We are looking forward to facing him later this season, and I am sure he is excited about it, too.
Longtime teammate, pitcher Atsushi Nohmi, said, “I can’t wait to face him from the mound. I better get a chance!” Players association rep Ryutaro Umeno said, “I owe him so much. I thought about him a lot this past offseason. I’m excited for him.” Waseda University underclassman Hiroki Uemoto said, “I’m so happy for him. I have nothing but great memories of our time together as teammates. He’s a treasure.”
Even former teammate (and also former Chiba Lotte Marine) Tsuyoshi Nishioka spoke out about it on his Instagram account: “Congratulations on signing with the Marines, Tori-san! I’m as happy for you as though it happened to me!”
The Tigers were scheduled to face the Chiba Lotte Marines at Koshien Stadium from May 26-28, but the schedule could change due to the delay of the start of the season because of coronavirus concerns.